Keto advice- what to do

(JT Newell) #1

I’m going Keto in November. I need advice on howto control cravings, not give into wanting carbs, and how to deal with headaches.

Any advice?

(Empress of the Unexpected) #2

One way is to gradually decrease carbs between now and November. Some people decrease gradually, others do cold turkey. Do you know how many grams of carbs you are eating now? If you decrease gradually there is less chance of the keto flu. I went cold turkey. Make sure you increase salt intake.

(JT Newell) #3

I eat a lot of processed foods, potatoes, pasta, and sweets. That should give an answer.

(Short224) #4

After a few days I didn’t have cravings for carbs I remember how they make me feel . Salt definitely helps with headaches as well I got them sometimes but I also cut out on my soda so I know that had a lot to do with it . Good luck your going to love how you feel and all the other amazing benefits that come with it !

(Running from stupidity) #5
  1. Eat interesting foods
  2. Eat plenty of interesting foods What did you Keto today?
  3. Electrolytes, make sure you’re having plenty
(Laurie) #6

Cravings: Depends what you mean. If you mean cravings for pizza, desserts, etc., most of this is habit and/or psychological (e.g., you relate certain foods to leisure time, family time, etc.). Look for substitutes. If you make your own, the cooking itself will help distract you from any uncomfortable feelings. If you feel truly hungry, you can try eating fat; this could be in the form of cream cheese, butter, bacon, etc.

Not giving in: At first, cravings for carbs can be not from your own body but from carb-eating organisms inside you that are demanding carbs because they’re dying off. Don’t give in! You’re starving those suckers out. Don’t have any tempting foods around the house. Or if you live with others, find a way of mentally separating your food from theirs (e.g., separate cupboards). Distract yourself with other activities, or with other foods or beverages, e.g., sipping water or eating sausages instead of eating carbs. . Don’t deprive yourself; on keto you can eat lots of rich foods, and it’s better to eat “too much” keto food rather than white-knuckle it and then give in to carbs.

Headaches: I’ve never had a headache from being on Atkins or Keto. I hope you don’t either!

(JT Newell) #7

I’m drinking flavored sparkling water. It can help me curb cravings for soda and sweet stuff, so that’s two birds with one stone.

(Keto Victory) #8

Tapering off carbs sounds like a good start. In any event, no good will come of reinforcing your carb addiction between now and your start date.

(Keto Victory) #9

As for headaches, read up on ketogenic diets before you dig in. You will learn all sorts of non-obvious things (like getting way more sodium than you might think you’d need).

This forum, as well as virtahealth.com and videos by Phinney, Volek, and Hallberg have a lot of good info. The 2 Keto dudes podcast series also has some great basic episodes.